ISSN (Online): 2349-1183; ISSN (Print): 2349-9265
TROPICAL PLANT RESEARCH
7(2): 427–439, 2020
The Journal of the Society for Tropical Plant Research
DOI: 10.22271/tpr.2020.v7.i2.051
Research article
Assessment of the lichen diversity from Koundinya wildlife
sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India
Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe, Anjali Devi B. and A. Madhusudhana Reddy*
Lichenology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Yogi Vemana University, Vemanapuram-516005, Kadapa,
Andhra Pradesh, India
*Corresponding Author: grassced@yahoo.com
[Accepted: 10 August 2020]
Abstract: The Present investigation revealed the occurrence of 69 species belonging to 36 genera
and 21 families of lichens in Koundinya wildlife sanctuary. Out of which a saxicolous foliose
lichen Xanthoparmelia tuberculiformis is reported as a new record to India and 6 species viz.
Arthonia collectiva, Arthonia subvelata, Dictyographa varians, Opegrapha astrea, Pyrenula
gibberulosa and Verrucaria elaeomelaena are new records to south India. While 6 species viz.
Buellia quartziana, Buellia substigmea, Pyxine nilgiriensis, Physcia abuensis, Caloplaca
subpoliotera, and Caloplaca tropica are found as endemic to India. The sanctuary also comprises
of 10 new distributional records to Andhra Pradesh as well as to the Chittoor district. Among the
different growth forms, crustose lichens showed maximum diversity represented by 40 (58%)
species followed by 23 (33%) of foliose, 3 (4%) of leprose, 2(3%) of squamulose and single
species (2%) of fruticose lichen. The sanctuary showed the maximum diversity of corticolous
lichens represented by 47 (64%) species followed by 24 (33%) saxicolous lichens out of these 2
(3%) species were found commonly both on bark and rock substrata. The member of the lichen
family Caliciaceae exhibit the maximum diversity represented by 11 (16%) species under 5
genera. Among the 36 genera, Lecanora exhibits the maximum diversity represented by 6 species.
The phorophytes, Pongamia pinnata, and Premna tomentosa bears the luxuriant growth of lichens
represented by 9 species. Among the 14 different altitude gradients, 17 species each were recorded
at the altitudes on 592 and 602 m. Two foliose lichens, Dirinaria applanata and Pyxine petricola
var. pallida bear luxuriant growth on both bark (Azadirachta indica, Premna tomentosa,
Euphorbia antichoram) and rock. The effort will lay the foundation for future bio-monitoring
studies on lichens from this unique habitat of Koundinya wildlife sanctuary and will act as
baseline data for Eastern Ghats of India.
Keywords: Eastern Ghats - Lichen taxonomy - New records - South India.
[Cite as: Pandava G, Mohabe S, Anjali DB & Reddy AM (2020) Assessment of the lichen diversity from
Koundinya wildlife sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India. Tropical Plant Research 7(2): 427–439]
INTRODUCTION
India has rich diversity of lichens comprising with 2,714 species (Sinha et al. 2018) and, few wildlife
sanctuaries are available particularly with account of lichen diversity. Before one and half decade, Meghamalai
wildlife sanctuary was explored in Tamil Nadu to generate baseline biodiversity information and to evaluate
lichens conservation importance and were recorded 99 lichen species belonging to 39 genera and 22 families
(Nayaka et al. 2001). Thereafter, an introductory observation was done on Bondla and Bhagwan Mahavir
wildlife sanctuaries in Goa and recorded 21 species belonging to 9 genera under 8 families out of which 7
species were recorded from Bondla wildlife sanctuary (Nayaka et al. 2004). Later a large amount of lichen
diversity presented with 99 species belonging to 43 genera and 25 families of which 21 species were new
records for Cotigao wildlife sanctuary and 15 species were new to Goa. Also Lepraria jackii Tønsberg, a leprose
lichen was reported as new to India (Pallavi et al. 2018). An ecological study was conducted in Mehao wildlife
sanctuary of (Singh et al. 2004) Arunachal Pradesh to observe ecological diversity of lichens and calculated
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Received: 22 March 2020
Published online: 31 August 2020
https://doi.org/10.22271/tpr.2020.v7.i2.051
Pandava et al. 2020
Importance Value Index of 106 species under 39 genera and 17 families (Pinokiyo et al. 2008). In Karnataka,
Bhadra wildlife sanctuary was documented with 67 macrolichens 85 microlichens and later 152 lichens were
recorded by calculating ecological parameters (Vinayaka et al. 2011) and in continuation of these studies again
111 species were encountered belonging to 41 genera under 22 families from Shettihalli wildlife sanctuary in
the same state (Vinayaka 2016). Nayaka et al. (2011) recorded 42 lichens from Katarniyaghat wildlife sanctuary
in Uttar Pradesh while the maximum numbers of species (214) were reported from Govind wildlife sanctuary in
Uttarakhand where lichen family Parmeliaceae exhibits its dominance with 45 species (Karakoti et al. 2014,
Mishra et al. 2016). Goni et al. (2015) listed 356 species of lichens belonging to 35 families and 91 genera from
Jammu and Kashmir. Ingle et al. (2016) identified 66 species belonging to 27 genera and 16 families from
Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary and national park in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Mishra et al. (2017) assessed
lichen diversity in Bhima Shankar wildlife sanctuary and recorded 58 species of lichens belonging to 27 genera
and 17 families of which 24 species were added as new to Maharashtra. Recently, Chander & Chandel (2019)
enumerated a total number of 16 species belonging to each 14 genera and 14 families of lichens from Bara
Bhangal region of Dhauldhar wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. The studies on lichen diversity indicates
that since a decade most of the wildlife sanctuaries were explored from Western Ghats of Southern India while,
Eastern Ghats are unexplored or underexplored for lichens diversity particular in wildlife sanctuaries especially
from Andhra Pradesh. Recently, Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary and national park were explored in Odisha and
recorded 49 lichen species with 26 genera and 14 families (Panda et al. 2017).
From the past ten years, exploration of lichen diversity from the state of Andhra Pradesh has been made
extensively from the districts such as YSR Kadapa, Chittoor and Anantapur districts of Rayalaseema forests
represented (Anjali et al. 2013, Mohabe et al. 2016 & 2017) with a maximum diversity of 183 lichens belonging
to 64 genera and 26 families with many new distributional records (Anjali 2016, Anjali et. al. 2017) but lichens
from Koundinya wildlife sanctuary (KWS) was uncharted therefore present study paved a way to provide
information on lichens diversity of KWS including some new distributional records.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present investigation is based on more than 100 lichen specimens collected from Koundinya wildlife
sanctuary (KWS) which includes two major localities viz. Kaigal Water Fall and Syam Village. The altitude
range from 582 m to 678 m [Kaigal Water Fall - (582–617 m) & Syam Village - (596–678 m)] in Chittoor
district of Andhra Pradesh (Fig. 1). KWS is located in a region where the Kolar plateau end slopes down the
plains of the Tamil Nadu state consists of many valleys and Ghats. It was established in 1990 and has been
covered 357.60 km2 forests located in between 13°00.130′ N 78° 03.842′ E. There are two waterfalls, Kalyan
Revu and Kaigal, located to North and West of Palamaner. These waterfalls are about 10 and 28 km away from
Palamaner respectively in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The habitat of this Sanctuary is rugged with high
hills and deep dales which are covered by Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous and Thorn forests with small ponds
and tanks (Fig. 2). The sanctuary comprises 102 tree species that are being used for various purposes, such as
fuel, medicine, timber and fodder (Rao et al. 2010). Some of the important flora consists of Acacia sp., Albizia
amara (Roxb.) Boiv., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Euphorbia antiquorum L., Ficus sp., Lagerstroemia sp.,
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Premna tomentosa Willd., Tamarindus indica L., Bamboos and Santalum album
L. Out of these trees, some of the species are host for lichen growth.
Figure 1. Map showing explored areas in Koundinya wildlife sanctuary from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Figure 2. Tropical Dry Deciduous forests in Chittoor district: A, A beautiful view of Kaundinya wildlife sanctuary, Chittoor
district; B, Kaigal Waterfalls; C, Rocky outcrops near at Syam Village.
The collections were made during March and April 2018 and all the collected specimens were properly
labelled and deposited in the Lichen Herbarium, Department of Botany, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa,
Andhra Pradesh. In the sanctuary, both the localities Kaigal and Syam are randomly selected because earlier
they were unexplored from Chittoor district even the range of Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve is well known
for high lichen diversity comprising with 183 species (Anjali 2016). Also this wildlife sanctuary is one of the
important habitat comprises of southern tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests including high hills and many
vascular plants which supports growth of lichens. A stereomicroscope, Magnüs MS 24/13 was used for the
observation of morphological features of lichen thallus including ascomata. Spot test for color reaction were
carried out by 10% aqueous solution of Potassium Hydroxide (K), Steiner’s stable para-phenylenediamine
solution (PD) and calcium Hypochlorite solution (C). Anatomical structures of fruiting bodies were observed
under light microscope of ZEISS Axiostar plus. All the measurements of anatomical structures were taken in
water and 10% aqueous solution of K. The chemical components present in lichen samples were identified by
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Thin Layer Chromatography in solvent system ‘A’ following the procedures of White & James (1985) and
Orange et al. (2001). Identification and classification of Lichens were done by following Anjali (2016), Awasthi
(1991 & 2007), Mohabe (2016) and Lucking et al. (2017). All the genus and spp. are arranged alphabetically
within each family.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The current study revealed the occurrence of 69 species belongs to 36 genera and 21 families of lichens. Out
of which a foliose Saxicolous lichen Xanthoparmelia tuberculiformis Kurok is a New record to India (Singh &
Sinha 2010) and other crustose lichens viz. Arthonia collectiva Stirt., Arthonia subvelata Nyl., Dictyographa
varians (Mull. Arg.) Vain., Opegrapha astrea Tuck, Pyrenula gibberulosa (Mull.Arg.) Aptroot , Verrucaria
elaeomelaena (A. Massal.) Arnold are new record to southern part of India (Pallavi et al. 2017, Singh & Sinha
2010, Mohabe et al. 2010, Nayaka et al. 2011) remaining 10 species are New additions to Andhra Pradesh as
well as Chittoor district (Anjali et al. 2013, Anjali 2016, Mohabe et al. 2016 & 2017) and 6 species viz. Buellia
quartziana S. R. Singh & D. D. Awasthi, Buellia substigmea S.R. Singh & D.D. Awashti, Pyxine nilgiriensis D.
D. Awasthi, Physcia abuensis D. D. Awasthi & S. R. Singh, Caloplaca subpoliotera Y. Joshi & Upreti, and
Caloplaca tropica Y. Joshi & Upreti found as endemic to India (Singh & Sinha 2010).
Among the different growth forms, crustose lichens showed maximum diversity represented by 40 (58%)
species followed by 23 (33%) foliose, 3 (4%) leprose, 2(3%) squamulose and single species (2%) of fruticose
lichen. This wildlife sanctuary showed the maximum diversity of corticolous lichens represented by 47 (64%)
species followed by 24 (33%) saxicolous lichens out of these 2 (3%) species were found common both on bark
and rock. The member of lichen family Caliciaceae exhibit the maximum diversity represented by 11 (16%)
species under 5 genera followed by Parmeliaceae and Physciaceae with 8 (12%) species each under 4 genera,
Lecanoraceae with 6 (9%) species, Opegraphaceae with 5 (7%) species, Teloschistaceae with 4 (6%) species,
Arthoniaceae and Ramalinaceae with 4 (6%) species each, Verrucarriaceae with 3 (4%) species, Graphidaceae,
Chrysothricaceae, Peltulaceae, and Pyrenulaceae with 2 (3%) species each, while Lichinaceae, Candelariaceae,
Collemataceae, Haematommataceae, Ochrolechiaceae, Porinaceae, Ramboldiaceae, Stereocaulaceae shows poor
diversity of lichens each represented by single (1%) species. Among the 36 genera, Lecanora exhibits the
maximum diversity represented by 6 species followed by 5 species of Parmotrema, 4 species each of Arthonia
and Pyxine, 3 species each of Heterodermia, Opegrapha, Physcia and Verrucaria, 2 species each of Bacidia,
Buellia, Chrysothrix, Dirinaria, Peltula and Pyrenula while maximum number of 19 genera represents poor
diversity each with single species (Fig. 3). Among the different Phorophytes found in the Sanctuary, Pongamia
pinnata and Premna tomentosa, bears the luxuriant growth of lichens represented by 9 species each followed by
Euphorbia antiquorum and Albizia amara with 7 species each, Strychnos nux-vomica L. with 5 species,
Tamarindus indica with 4 species, Ziziphus sp. with 2 species while Azadirachta indica, Pavetta tomentosa
Roxb. ex Sm and Tarenna asiatica (L.) Kuntze ex K. Schum exhibit poor to scare growth of lichens with single
species each while 9 species were observed on unidentified trees.
Figure 3. Representation of genus and species diversity within different lichen families.
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In this wildlife sanctuary Syam village shows maximum diversity of lichens represented by 46 species
followed by Kaigal Water Fall represents 34 species out of which 11 species were found commonly in both the
areas. Among the 14 altitudinal gradients between the 582–678 msl, the maximum diversity were recorded
around the Kaigal water fall at an altitude ranges of 592 and 591 m represented by 17 and 10 species followed
by 617 (5), 584 (6) and 582(4). Similarly, in Syam village maximum diversity were represented at an altitude
ranges on 602 and 645 m with 17 and 14 species followed by 661 (13), 596 (9), 641 (5), 669 (5), 614 (3), 598
(3) and 678 with only single species. The area shows higher diversity in middle altitude and lower diversity in
higher and lower altitudes. The altitude ranges in different areas with their lichen diversity in relation with
number of species are provided in (Fig. 4). Koundinya wildlife sanctuary bear the luxuriant growth of two lichen
species Dirinaria applanata (Fée) D.D. Awasthi and Pyxine petricola var. pallida Swinscow both on bark
(Azadirachta indica, Premna tomentosa and Euphorbia antichoram) and rocks represented by 6 and 3
altitudinal gradient ranges followed by a saxicolous species Lecanora subimmersa (Fée) Vain and corticolous
species Opegrapha vulgata (Ach.) Ach. (Strychnos nux-vomica and Pongamia pinnata) represented by 5 and 4
altitudinal gradient ranges. A complete list of identified species from KWS is provided in alphabetical order
under the families with their distribution in Appendix I.
Figure 4. Diversity of lichens from different altitudinal ranges in Koundinya wildlife sanctuary.
New record to India
Xanthopermelia tuberculiformis Kurok., J. Jap. Bot. 64(10): 291(1989).
[Fig. 5A-B]
Thallus saxicolous, foliose, closely adnate, yellowish green, dark in center, orbicular, upto 2 cm in diameter,
heteromerous, upper cortex hyaline to greyish, 15–30 µm thick, algal layer 30–70 µm thick, lobes branched,
sublinear, 0.3–1.0 mm wide, apices black margined, thallus isidiate, isidia sub-globose, simple or coralloid black
tipped, 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm in long medulla white, 60–90 µm thick, lower cortex brown to black 20–35 µm thick,
rhizines brown, 0.15 mm long, 20–35 µm thick, apothecia absent.
Spot Test: Medulla K-, C-, KC- P+ orange red, TLC: fumarprotocetraric and protocetraric acids present.
Remarks: The species is morphologically resembling to Xanthoparmelia keralensis Hale having simple isidia
and black lower side but latter the species differs by P+ orange to red medulla containing fumarprotocetraric
and protocetraric acid.
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from Japan, Korea and now the species is new record to India
collected from Koundinya wildlife sanctuary which is a part of Eastern Ghats in India.
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Koundinya Wildlife Sancturary, Kaigal Water
Fall, N 13º 03.918′ E 078º 33.625′, alt. 592 m, on rock, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe &
A. Madhusudhana Reddy 6741 (YVUH).
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Figure 5. Xanthoparmelia tuberculiformis Kurok.: A, Habit of the thallus; B, V.S. of Thallus portion showing different
layers (uc = upper cortex, al = algal layer, m = medulla, rh = rhizines). [Scale Bars: A= 1 mm, B= 50 µm]
New record to South India
Arthonia collectiva Stirt.
[Fig. 6A]
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Kamgorudindu, N 13º 02.378′ E 078º
33.324′, alt. 669 m, on bark, 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7070 (YVUH).
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and now the species is new
record to South India.
Arthonia subvelata Nyl.
[Fig. 6B]
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Majjigunta, N 13º 02.399′ E 078º 33.778′,
alt. 661 m, on bark of Ziziphus sp., 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7084 (YVUH).
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from West Bengal-plains and now the species is new record to South
India.
Dictyographa varians (Mull. Arg.) Vain.
[Fig. 6C]
Specimens examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Yerrakuppaleru, N 13º 02.083′ E 078º
34.248′, alt. 602 m, on bark of Tarenna asiatica (L.) Kuntz ex. K. Schum, 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava
7134 & 7135 (YVUH).
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from Gujarath and now the species is new record to South India.
Opegrapha astrea Tuck
[Fig. 6D]
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam (Yerrakuppaleru), N 13º 02.123′ E 078º
34.327′, alt. 596 m, on bark of Strychnos nux-vomica L., 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7177 (YVUH).
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from Uttar Pradesh and now the species is new record to South
India.
Pyrenula gibberulosa (Mull.Arg.) Aptroot
[Fig. 6E]
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, N 13º 02.172′ E 078º 33.643′, alt. 641 m,
on bark of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A.
Madhusudhana Reddy 6839 (YVUH).
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from Goa and now the species is a new record to South India.
Verrucaria elaeomelaena (A. Massal.) Arnold
[Fig. 6F]
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Yerrakuppaleru, N 13º 02.083′ E 078º
34.248′, alt. 602 m, on rock, 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7144 (YVUH).
Distribution: Earlier the species is reported from Manipur, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and now the species
is a new record to South India.
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Figure 6. New distributional records to South India: A, Arthonia collectiva Stirt.; B, A. subvellata Nyl.; C, Dictyographa
varians (Müll. Arg.) Vain; D, Opegrapha astrea Tuck; E, Pyrenula gibberulosa (Müll. Arg.) Aptroot; F, Verrucaria
elaeomelaena (A. Massal.) Arnold.
Indian distribution of new additions from Andhra Pradesh (updated)
Arthonia catenatula Nyl.
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Yerrakuppaleru, N 13º 02.123′ E 078º
34.327′, alt. 596 m, on bark of Strychnos nux-vomica L., 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7179 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Singh & Sinha 2010) and Andhra Pradesh.
Canoparmelia cinerascens (Lynge) Elix & Hale
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam (Majjigunta), N 13º 02.399′ E 078º 33.778′,
alt. 661 m, on bark, 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7087 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Chapsa leprocarpa (Nyl.) Frisch.
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Yerrakuppaleru, N 13º 02.123′ E 078º
34.327′, alt. 596 m, on bark of Strychnos nux-vomica L., 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7173 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand.
Dirinaria papillulifera (Nyl.) D. D. Awasthi.
Specimens examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, N 13º 02.172′ E 078º 33.643′, alt. 641 m,
on bark of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A.
Madhusudhana Reddy 6839 & 6840 (YVUH).
Distribution: Assam, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal - plains.
Ochrolechia pallescens (L.) A. Massal
Specimens examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, Majjigunta, N 13º 02.399′ E 078º 33.778′,
alt. 661 m, on bark, 29.04.2018, Gangadhar Pandava 7088, 7091 & 7093 (YVUH); India, Andhra Pradesh,
Chittoor District, Syam, Majjigunta, N 13º 02.399′ E 078º 33.778′, alt. 661 m, on twigs, 29.04.2018,
Gangadhar Pandava 7095 & 7097 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Manipur, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.
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Opegrapha cinerea Chavall.
Specimens examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, N 13º 02.172′ E 078º 33.643′, alt. 641 m,
on bark of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A.
Madhusudhana Reddy 6833, 6842, 6843 & 6846 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andaman & Nikobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh.
Opegrapha vulgata (Ach.) Ach.
Specimens examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, N 13º 02.172′ E 078º 33.643′, alt. 641 m,
on bark of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A.
Madhusudhana Reddy 6845 (YVUH); India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam (Yerrakuppaleru), N
13º 02.123′ E 078º 34.327′, alt. 596 m, on bark of Strychnos nux-vomica L., 29.04.2018, Gangadhar
Pandava 7175, 7176 & 7180 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andaman & Nikobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Karnaka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengalplains.
Physcia aipola (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Furnr.
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Kaigal, N 13º 04.351′ E 078º 33.775′, alt. 591 m,
on bark of Premna tomentosa Willd., 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A. Madhusudhana
Reddy 6708 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Khasmir, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Pyrenula immisa (Stirt.) Zahlbr.
Specimen examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam, N 13º 02.172′ E 078º 33.643′, alt. 641 m,
on bark of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A.
Madhusudhana Reddy 6839 (YVUH); India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Syam (Yerrakuppaleru), N
13º 02.123′ E 078º 34.327′, alt. 596 m, on bark of Strychnos nux-vomica L., 29.04.2018, Gangadhar
Pandava 7177 (YVUH).
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Sikkim,
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Pyxine nilgiriensis D. D. Awasthi.
Specimens examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor District, Kaigal, N 13º 03.918' E 078º 33.625′, alt. 592 m,
on rock, 02.03.2018, Gangadhar Pandava, Satish Mohabe & A. Madhusudhana Reddy 6734 & 6736
(YVUH).
Distribution: Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
CONCLUSION
In the State of Andhra Pradesh, Chittoor district is well known for lichen exploration work and high lichen
diversity. Earlier, an appraisal of lichen biota was provided with 75 species belonging to 33 genera and 17
families from Chittoor district (Mohabe et al. 2016) later, Anjali (2016) concluded maximum lichen diversity
represented by 160 species with 59 genera with 25 families. Despite lichens from Koundinya wildlife sanctuary
were not recorded even single species therefore present study focused on to explore this area as a new locality in
Andhra Pradesh to fill the gap of lichen diversity and now the wildlife sanctuary includes 17 species to Andhra
Pradesh and out of these a new record Xanthoparmelia tuberculiformis Kurok is recorded for India. After this
study, the lichen diversity of Andhra Pradesh will represent 217 species according to the published literatures
and Chittoor district will reach with 177 species belonging to 61 Genera and 26 families which includes 2
generic records Dictyographa and Alyxoria and one family Lichinaceae first time from the Chittoor district. The
wildlife sanctuary also includes some fruticose and foliose lichens which are medicinally important and earlier
found from the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve (Anjali et al. 2014, 2015, 2016). The possible reason for the
higher diversity in Syam village includes 4 sub localities viz. Yarrakuppaleru, Kamgordindu, Majjigunta and
Yelonerayi under forest cover with more number of trees (7) which supports the luxuriant growth of corticolous
lichens. The Kaigal Water Fall is a tourist place which shows poor lichen diversity due to cutting of trees for
fuel purpous. The continous anthropogenic activity harmed the subtle plants by crushing under the feet of people
and animals especially those that grows on rocks such as saxicolous lichens. In this area a few trees (3) are
found supporting the growth of lichen which is one of the reasons for the less lichen diversity. The study will lay
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forward for future bio-monitoring studies on lichens from this unique habitat of Koundinya wildlife sanctuary
and will act as baseline data for Eastern Ghats of India.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Authors are very grateful to Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa for providing necessary assistance for
research work and second author is very thankful to University Grants Commission, New Delhi for financial
assistance under the scheme of UGC-Post Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST candidates 2015–17 (F./PDFSS-201517-MAD-12168) and to the Forest official of Andhra Pradesh for giving permission to collect the samples.
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Supporting information
Appendix I: List of identified lichens from Koundinya wildlife sanctuary of Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Appendix I: List of identified lichens from Koundinya wildlife sanctuary of Andhra Pradesh, India.
S.N. Family
GF
HBT
582
Arthoniaceae
1
Arthonia catenatula Nyl.*
2
A. collectiva Stirt**
3
A. subvelata Nyl.**
4
A. tumidula (Ach.) Ach.
Caliciaceae
5
Buellia maculata Tuck
6
B. quartziana S. R. Singh & D.D. Awasthi#
7
B. substigmea S.R. Singh & D.D. Awashti#
8
Cratiria obscurior (Stirt.) Marbach & Kal.
9
Dirinaria applanata (Fee) D.D. Awasthi
10
D. papulifera (Nyl.) D.D. Awasthi*
11
Hafellia curtelae (Malme) Marbach
12
Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl.
13
P. nilgiriensis D. D. Awasthi*#
14
P. petricola Nyl.
15
P. petricola var. pallida Swinscow
Candelariaceae
16
Candelaria concolor (Dicks.) Stein
Chrysothricaceae
18
Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R. Laundon
19 C. chlorina (Ach.) J.R. Laundon
Collaemataceae
20 Collema subnigrescens Degel
Graphidaceae
21 Graphis leptocarpa Fée
22 Chapsa leprocarpa (Nyl.) Frisch*
Haematommataceae
23 Haematomma punicuum (Ach.) A. Massal.
Lecanoraceae
24 Lecanora achroa Nyl.
25 L. alba Lumbsch
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KWF
584 591 592
617
Localities
YAR
596 598 602
YEL
614
SYV
641 645
MAJ
661
KAM
669 678
Specimens
No.
Cr
Cr
Cr
Cr
C
C
C
C
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
+
-
-
7179
7070
7078
7177
Cr
Cr
Cr
Cr
Fl
Fl
Cr
Fl
Fl
Fl
Fl
S
S
S
S
C, S
C
C
C
S
C
C, S
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
+
+
-
+
-
+
-
6847
6728
6751
6744
6732
6839
6829
6706
6734
6829
6872
Fl
C
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
7091
Lp
Lp
C
C
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
+
-
-
6809
7096
Fl
C
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6684
Cr
Cr
C
C
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
7097
7173
Cr
C
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6704
Cr
Cr
C
C
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6829
6808
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Pandava et al. 2020
26 L. interjecta Müll. Arg.
27 L. leprosa Fée
28 L. subimmersa (Fée) Vain
29 L. tropica Zahlbr.
Lichinaceae
30 Anema decipiens (A. Massal.) Forssell
Ochrolechiaceae
31 Ochrolechia pallescens (L.) A. Massal*
Opegraphaceae
32 Dictyographa varians (Müll. Arg.) Vain**
33 Opegrapha astraea Tuck.**
34 O. vulgata (Ach.) Ach.*
34 O. cinerea Chevall*
35 Alyxoria varia Pers.
Parmeliaceae
36 Bulbothrix isidiza (Nyl.) Hale
37 Canoparmelia cinerascens (Lynge) Elix &
Hale*
38 Parmotrema austrosinense (Zahlbr.) Hale
39 P. crinitoides J. C Wei
40 P. mesotropum (Mull. Arg.) Hale
41 P. praesorediosum (Nyl.) Hale
42 P. tinctorum (Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale
43 Xanthoparmelia tuberculiformis Kurok.***
Peltulaceae
44 Peltula euploca (Ach.) Poelt ex Pisut
45 P. placodizans Zahlbr.
Physciaceae
46 Heterodermia albicans (Pers.) Swinscow &
Krog.
47 H. isidiophora (Nyl.) D.D. Awasthi
48 H. pseudospeciosa (Kurk.) W. L. Culb.
49 Hyperphyscia adglutinata (Florke) H.
Mayerhofer & Poelt
50 Physcia abuensis D.D. Awasthi & S. R.
Singh#
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Cr
Cr
Cr
Cr
C
C
S
C
+
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
+
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
6829
6829
6853
6884
Cr
S
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6690
Cr
C
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
7088
Cr
Cr
Cr
Cr
Cr
C
C
C
C
C
+
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
7134
7177
7175
6848
6817
Fl
Fl
C
C
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
7088
7087
Fl
Fl
Fl
Fl
Fl
Fl
C
C
C
C
C
S
-
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
-
6772
7128
6808
6815
7125
6741
Sq
Sq
S
S
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6690
6690
Fl
S
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6871
Fl
Fl
Fl
C
C
S
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
7127
7128
7147
Fl
C
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6708
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Tropical Plant Research (2020) 7(2): 427–439
51 P. aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Furnr.*
52 P. tribacioides Nyl.
53 Rinodina oxydata (A. Massal.) A. Massal.
Porinaceae
54 Porina subinterestes (Fée) Vain
Pyrenulaceae
55 Pyrenula gibberulosa (Müll.Arg.)
Aptroot**
56 P. immissa (Stirt.) Zahlbr.*
Ramalinaceae
57 Ramalina conduplicans Vain.
58 B. convexula (Müll.Arg.) Zahlbr.
59 B. incongruens (Stirt.) Zahlbr.
60 Lecania expallescens (Nyl.) Oksner
Ramboldiaceae
61 Ramboldia russula (Ach.) Kalb.
Stereocaulaceae
62 Lepraria coriensis (Hue) Sipman
Teloschistaceae
63 Caloplaca bassiae (Willd.ex Ach.) Zahlbr.
64 C. cupulifera (Vain.) Zahlbr.
65 C. subpoliotera Y. Joshi & Upreti#
66 C. tropica Y. Joshi & Upreti#
Verrucarriaceae
67 Verrucaria acrotella Ach.
68 V. elaeomelaena (A. Massal.) Arnold**
69 V. margacea (Wahlenb.) Wahlenb.
Fl
Fl
Cr
C
C
S
-
-
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
6708
6706
7144
Cr
S
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
7193
Cr
C
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
6839
Cr
C
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
7131
Fr
Cr
Cr
Cr
C
C
C
S
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
6715
6884
7120
6856
Cr
C
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
-
7071
Lp
S
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6716
Cr
Cr
Cr
Cr
C
S
S
S
+
-
+
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
6880
6683
6720
6736
Cr
Cr
Cr
S
S
S
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
6856
7144
7163
Note: GF= Growth Forms, HBT= Habitat, Cr= Crustose, Fl= Foliose, Fr= Fruticose, Sq= Squamulose, LP= Leprose, C= Corticolous, S= Saxicolous; (+)= Present, (-)= Absent, (*)= New additions,
(**)= New to South India, (***)= New to India, (#)= Endemic to India.
Localities: KWF= Kaigal Water Fall; YAR= Yarrakuppaleru; YEL= Yelonerayi; SYV= Syam Village; MAJ= Majjigunta; KAM= Kamgordindu.
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